By Renee Bradshaw

Special to the Salisbury Post

How many times in the past four months have you seen #metoo? Probably not as much as there should be, considering the following statistics provided by the domestic violence coalition, NCCADV and www.hotline.org.

• Three out of 10 women and one out of 10 men in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning.

• Every 25 minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.

• 30-60 percent of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.

• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusers when they reach adulthood.

These staggering statistics, and therefore Family Crisis Council of Rowan, exist. The purpose of the Crisis Council formerly (Rape, Child and Family Abuse Crisis Council of Salisbury-Rowan) is to assist victims of rape, sexual assault, incest and domestic violence to take back the control of their lives. We provide shelter, support and advocacy 24/7. All of our services are free.

Without the United Way’s funding, we could not possibly maintain all the services we provide daily.

Family Crisis Council of Rowan has been fortunate to be a United Way-funded agency since 1979. This year’s United Way campaign theme is, “Everyday, The United Way.” The United Way is committed to assist 15-member agencies and two partner agencies. The condensed version of the United Way’s mission is to connect people and resources to build a stronger community by funding these agencies that try to accomplish this mission by collaborating and dedicating their teams to improve the quality of life for Rowan County citizens.

“The vision is to be a recognized, integral leader and valued partner in building a stronger, healthier community. We improve lives by mobilizing the community’s time, talent and resources to those who need us the most.”

All these agencies have the same core values as the United Way: caring, courage, integrity, responsiveness and accountability. We are all serving to “Empower & Improve” the quality of the citizens of Rowan County.

I would be remiss by not mentioning the 15 agencies and the two partner agencies, the campaign is trying to raise $1.6M to fund this year. They are American Red Cross, ARC/Rowan, Boy Scouts, Community in Schools, Families First, Family Crisis Council, Literacy Council, RC Rescue Squad, RC YMCA, RC Youth Services, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Salvation Army, Smart Start Rowan, Trinity Living Center and Capstone Recovery Center and Jobs for Life.

I would like to personally thank all the volunteers in Rowan County that make up the board of directors, campaign cabinet, campaign leaders, car dealers, and the team that makes up United Way — new Executive Director Jenny Lee, Jackie Harris and Melissa Robbins. All of you are God-fearing, courageous, caring and fearless, to strive to make this year’s campaign goal. All these qualities help us to ask citizens of our community to “give until it hurts,” to make Rowan County a better and safer place to live.

Thank you all and God bless.

Renee Bradshaw is executive director of the Family Crisis Council of Rowan.